The Commentary of Al-Qasidah — Page 89
The commentary of al-Qa si dah 89 At this part of the Qa si dah there is a reference to some of the social evils that were prevalent among the Arabs. These evils are of such nature that once a nation adopts them, they are destroyed morally and spiritually, and it is very difficult to bring about reformation. These evils are lewdness, drinking, and music. According to the Talm u d 11 these three types of sins or evils were rampant among the people of Lot. Since they could not reform themselves they were destroyed. Nowadays these three evils have taken root in European nations as well. Since their governments have some control through their laws, they are punished to some extent for these evils. Some governments are trying to eliminate some of these evils but they are unsuccessful. The problem is that sinful activities are publicized openly in stories and writings, and in free newspapers, magazines and print articles, and this arouses and stimulates the sexual urges of people. There is no control over any of these publications. Actors and singers, whether men or women, are given the highest respect in these societies. Their scholars and writers admit that obscenity and adultery have taken hold of their society and it is impossible to remove it. These three evils were part and parcel of the culture and civilization of the Arabs and they used to boast and recite verses about these things in their gatherings with pride. By way of example, a very famous Arab poet, Lab i d bin Rab i ‘ah, says in his couplets addressing his beloved: 11 The T a lm u d , by H. Polano, p. 45, London, Frederick Warne & Co.